Gardener to hold talk on his work

David Sedgwick

An award-winning gardener is to talk about his work creating a hospital garden.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Cramlington Rotary Club are hosting An audience with Sean Murray on Thursday, May 5, from 7pm to 9pm at the Holiday Inn, Seaton Burn.

Sean, a former employee of Northumbria Healthcare, won The Great Chelsea Garden Challenge last year which saw his garden feature at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Sean, from Ashington, is currently working with the trust’s Bright charity to design and create a new garden for staff, patients and visitors at the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital at Cramlington.

At the event, Sean will also be offering gardening tips in the question and answer session.

Tickets, which are £10 with light refreshments included, can be purchased at Hospital Volunteer Service (HVS) shops at The Northumbria, Wansbeck, Blyth, North Tyneside and Hexham hospitals or online at www.eventbrite.co.uk, search An audience with garden designer Sean Murray.

Sean said: “As a past employee of the trust I was delighted to be invited to design a garden at The Northumbria hospital.

“As a nurse with the trust for most of my career and more recently my new venture as a garden designer, I am able to bring a unique set of skills to designing a garden space in a hospital setting.

“I am looking forward to working with the trust once more and contributing to the amazing service that the trust provides for the local community.

“This garden will combine a vibrant planting scheme with the timeless quality of natural slate and weathered oak. The space will provide a tranquil haven for patients, relatives and staff, a space to take refuge, to reconnect or just be.”

Ian McMinn, non-executive director and chairman of the trust’s charitable funds committee, said: “Alongside Cramlington Rotary Club, we are delighted to host this event and give people the chance to meet Sean and hear about his excellent work.

“As a former employee of ours, it’s great that Sean wants to give something back to the trust. It’s quite a privilege to have an award-winning gardener work with us on our garden project.

“When complete, the garden will provide a welcoming and calming place for staff, patients and families to enjoy and find respite and a fantastic addition to the hospital.”

Judith Common, of Cramlington Rotary Club, said: “Rotary is well known internationally for its humanitarian work but across the country local clubs are proactive in supporting local initiatives. Cramlington Rotary Club is pleased to be working with Northumbria Healthcare’s Bright charity to support this excellent scheme.

“The garden will be a place of reflection and peace to be used by patients, relatives and staff alike over the years ahead.”

All proceeds from the event will go towards the new garden at the hospital.